Prostate Cancer

At the UM Capital Region Health, our cancer specialists take a comprehensive, team-based approach when diagnosing and treating prostate cancer — the most common cancer among men after skin cancer.

One in seven men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. Men with African American ancestry or a family history of prostate cancer are at higher risk. 

Meet Our Prostate Cancer Care Team

Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Most prostate cancers don’t have any symptoms at first. The best way to detect this cancer is to have regular prostate cancer screenings. 

When there are symptoms they can include:

• Problems urinating - slow or weak flow of urine; frequent urination, especially at night; difficulty starting urination, pain or burning during urination, etc.
• Blood in your urine or semen
• Pain in the back, hips or pelvis that doesn’t go away
• Trouble getting an erection
• Trouble emptying the bladder completely

See your primary care doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. If prostate cancer is suspected, your doctor can refer you to the UM Capital Region Health cancer care team for more testing and, if necessary, treatment.

Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

We perform the most advanced and reliable diagnostic testing in looking for prostate cancer, including:

• Prostate MRI
• Genetic testing
• A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test - measuring the level of PSA in the blood, which may be higher in men who have prostate cancer
• Biopsy - removal of tissue from the prostate for observation via a microscope

If prostate cancer is found, we may do additional testing to find out if the disease has spread and help determine the right treatment.

Our team carefully explains the advantages and risks of each testing option.

Prostate Cancer Treatment

Our team of prostate cancer specialists includes surgeons, urologists and oncologists who are highly trained to perform the most advanced and effective treatment procedures. Treatments can include:

• Active surveillance - close monitoring of the cancer with the intent to start treatment if it appears to be growing more quickly)
• Surgery - removal of the prostate (when possible, specialists at UM Capital Region Health use robotic surgery to help reduce pain and speed up recovery time)
• High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)- use of high-frequency ultrasound energy, or sound waves, to destroy cancerous tissue without harming healthy surrounding tissues
• Radiation therapy - use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells
• Cryotherapy - freezing and killing of cancer cells

We will thoroughly explain your treatment options and help you decide which are right for you.

Our Prostate Cancer Team

Prostate cancer patients at UM Capital benefit from a team of surgeons and other specialists who work together to provide the best care possible. These include a urologist specializing in advanced robotic and minimally invasive surgeries, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and an entire cancer support team. 

Contact Us

To learn more about the services available at our location or have questions, particularly regarding referrals and making an appointment, call us at 240-677-8300.